December 31, 2014

Phillies Reportedly Complete Trade Of Marlon Byrd To Cincinnati Reds

We heard the other day that a Marlon Byrd trade to the Cincinnati Reds fell through. However, we also learned was a chance that it would still get done. Today, the Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds agreed on a deal that sent Byrd to the Reds, according to a report.

Lively's average stuff combined with plus deception have some thinking of him as the right-handed version of Tony Cingrani. The Reds can only hope this Central Florida product can follow the same quick path to Cincinnati.

None of Lively's pitches jump off the page, but he does have four of them that he can throw for strikes. His fastball can touch 93-94 mph, and his slider shows signs of being a potential above-average pitch, as well. Lively mixes in his curve and changeup well to keep hitters guessing. All of his stuff plays up because of his unusual delivery in which his arm stays hidden, making it tough for hitters to pick up the ball.

It only took Cingrani a year to make an impact in Cincy. Lively could be on a similar fast track.

Lively was a fourth round draft pick in 2013 for the Reds.

Lively split 2014 between Class A and Class AA, making 13 starts for each. Lively could begin in either AA Reading or AAA Lehigh Valley, depending on what the Phillies see in Spring Training, if the team also sees Lively on the fast track. AA is probably the better bet, but he may not spend all of 2015 in AAA.

Yesterday Byrd said on Twitter to user @TheBigBurrini that he hoped to be back with the Phillies in 2015: